Monday, December 16, 2013

My Happiness

“Happiness is a vine that takes root and grows within the heart, never outside it.” ― Kahlil Gibran

To Me, Happiness is...1.Falling in love -- every morning when I wake up
with Mike.2.Laughing so hard my cheeks burn -- or I wet my
pants3.A hot bubble bath with scented candles and
classical music...4....and often a good book.5.A special glance and a wink to follow over the
breakfast table.6.Getting mail -- real mail -- from anyone,
really.7.Hiking in Hawaii.8.Hearing my favorite 80s songs on the radio.9.Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.10.Hot
towels fresh out of the dryer.11.Cold
sheets after a hot bath.12.A
washed car.13.Giggling
with James -- especially if he made me laugh.14.A
good, deep conversation with James -- from which I usually learn something new.15.The
beach with Mike and James -- and a football.16.Finding
money in my pocket.17.Laughing
at myself -- which I do frequently.18.Eye
contact -- and then a deeper understanding.19.Two
o'clock AM reading with Mike.20.Running
through sprinklers in Central Park with Mike.21.Laughing
for absolutely no reason at all -- or having one and not being able to share
it.22.Having
people in my life I can honestly tell, "You are a beautiful
human."23.Overhearing
someone say something nice about my son.24.Morning
kisses -- after we brush.25.Making
new friends -- or spending quality time with old ones.26.Playing
with Mamie Lou.27.Having
someone rub my scalp.28.Sweet
dreams that seem so real -- and I can remember them.29.Hot
chocolate, hot buttered rum, hot coffee with Kaluha.30.Road
trips.31.Swinging
on swings -- until I break it like I did to our back porch swing in Southdowns.32.Baking
bread, cakes, cookies, brownies, and pies.33.Holding
hands with Mike -- or James when he allows.34.Running
into an old friend and realizing things never change.35.Watching
the expression on James' face as he opens a present from Mike and me.36.Watching
the sunset on Waikiki Beach.37.Getting
out of bed every morning, embracing a new beautiful day -- know yesterday is
gone and tomorrow doesn't exist.38.Knowing
that somebody misses me -- this is especially so considering we live so far
away. Really, this means a lot.39.A
soft smile and a warm hug.40.Knowing
I've done the right thing, no matter what other people think.